BUENA VISTA, Va. – The Arcadia men's volleyball team swept its tri-match on Saturday, defeating Penn State Altoona, 3-0, and Eastern Mennonite (EMU), 3-1.
 
With the win over Penn State Altoona, head coach Adam Hamad picked up his first victory. Arcadia improved to 2-3 on the season with the two wins.
 
The Knights had a combined .323 hitting percentage on the day, posting a .338 hitting percentage against Penn State Altoona, and a .301 percentage against Eastern Mennonite.
 
Danny Gonzalez recorded 24 kills across the two victories. Vaughn McConnell dished out 61 assists in the two Knight wins.
 
ARCADIA 3, PENN STATE ALTOONA 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Set 1: Arcadia 25, Penn State Altoona 17:
The Knights jumped out to an early 10-3 lead. They grew their lead to 15-7, but Penn State Altoona won four consecutive points to get within 15-11. Arcadia answered with an 8-1 run, and eventually closed out the opening set to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
Set 2: Arcadia 25, Penn State Altoona 17:
The Lions took a 5-1 lead in the middle frame. Trailing 8-5, the Knights took an 11-8 lead through a 6-0 run. Arcadia never trailed again in the set, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
Set 3: Arcadia 25, Penn State Altoona 18:
The teams traded the opening four points, but Arcadia went on an 8-1 run to take a 10-3 lead. The Knights grew their lead to 16-5 and closed out the set and the match to win their opening match of the day.
 
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Gonzalez (9), Owen Heft (8), Dylan Zimmerman (6)
Assists: McConnell (16), Riley Kodidek (9)
Digs: Zimmerman (7), Cameron Birch (5), Heft (3)
Blocks: Evan Rothmann (4), Kevin Abraham/Ryan Miller (2)
Aces: Heft (2), Zimmerman/Gonzalez (1)
 
ARCADIA 3, EASTERN MENNONITE 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Set 1: Arcadia 25, EMU 21:
The teams played an even opening sequence, but Arcadia took an 11-6 lead through a 5-0 run. The Knights extended that run to 11-2 to build their lead in the frame. EMU got within four at 21-17, but Arcadia closed out the set to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
Set 2: EMU 25, Arcadia 22:
EMU took an early 9-6 lead. The Knights tied the set at 12, but the Royals used a 3-0 run to take a 15-12 lead. However, Arcadia took a 16-15 lead through a 4-0 run. The teams battled to a 22-22 tie, but EMU took the final three points of the set to tie the match at one.
 
Set 3: Arcadia 25, EMU 14:
The Knights won the first eight points of the set to take a big lead. Arcadia continued its strong play through the frame to retake the lead in the match.
 
Set 4: Arcadia 27, EMU 25:
The teams traded points in the beginning stages of the set, but EMU took four consecutive points to take an 11-8 lead. The Knights answered with a 6-1 run to take a 14-12 lead. The teams traded points to the final points of the set. The Knights faced set point at 25-24, but they won the final three points of the set to win the match.
 
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Gonzalez (15), Zimmerman (14), Heft (10)
Assists: McConnell (45)
Digs: Vincent Colucci (12), Zimmerman/Heft (7)
Blocks: Abraham (6), Heft (4), McConnell (3)
Aces: McConnell (4), Birch (1)
 
UP NEXT
The Knights travel to take on New York University on Thursday, Feb. 2. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.